Junior Representative Update – Adam Howard

Junior Representative Update – Adam Howard

Hi Bullants,

As some of you might be aware, through some hard work and perseverance, Adam Howard was selected to represent Victoria in the u12s, for the 2018 National Cricket Championships held in Bunbury Western Australia just before Christmas.

13 Boys were selected from all across the state from Rupanyup in the Wimmera to Bendigo, Geelong and more metropolitan areas of Melbourne. The Vics were drawn to play Qld, WA2 and the ACT in their pool games (NSW, NT, SA & WA1 in the other pool) with the top 2 in each playing off in a semi for the final. The games were 50 overs a side – 100 overs a day for u12s!!

The Vic team was a very talented group, with a few of the boys likely to have their names in the mix at high levels in the next 10 years or so. The team progressed through the pool stage in a convincing manner with 3 wins from the 3 games – with some lusty late innings hitting getting them through their toughest encounter on a sticky wicket against the ACT. The semi was an impressive effort, this time against the home side, WA, with some strong individual batting performances making sure of the win. In the final, the Vic team asserted their dominance, bowling the ACT out for 99, then passing the total in 25 overs with all 10 wickets in hand to become National Champions 2018!!

For Adam, personally, he would be the first to admit that he did not quite have the tournament he would have liked with the bat. Being on the end of 2 unfortunate run outs and a stumping involving spikes getting stuck in the turf, his only other batting chance came in a game that was already over. He kept his head up though, and had strong contributions in the field, taking a catch in every match, becoming a bit of a slip specialist with a couple of blinders, took a wicket with some tight bowling against the ACT to break up a crucial partnership, and was the loudest in the field, ensuring his team mates were always in good spirits and on the job!

This was an amazing experience for Adam (and the rest of the family), being exposed to some high level coaching & competition, and mixing with some very talented young boys of his age & their families – making connections he will be able to keep up through his life, and memories he will always have.

The Howard family would like to thank the BTCC Community & Sponsors, particularly Forbes Grainger Financial (Andrew Grainger) & Tile Teknician (Paul Pavlidis), for their support in helping Adam have this experience – it takes the support of a community club like ours to allow individuals realise their potential, which in turn feeds back to help improve the club.

Thanks again for your support, it went a long way towards ensuring Adam had the chance to do this,